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At the husky note in his voice, a little thrill zipped through her. “I think that could be arranged.”
After a few moments, he released her to hang his coat on a hook by the door. “Who was on the phone?”
“Lindsey. She had news.”
Chad listened as she told him about the mark or tattoo.
“What do the police think?”
“She didn’t say, but it has to be a positive. I mean, you don’t have a tattoo or a mark of any kind on your arm. This should clear you.”
“I don’t know, Dara.” He rubbed his forehead. “They couldstill think I was involved. As an accomplice or something. Like a lookout while my partner robbed the place.”
Her spirits deflated. “No one’s mentioned anything about two people being involved. Why would you jump to that conclusion?”
“I know how cops think. They’ve connected me to the crime already with circumstantial stuff, so if I’m not the killer, they’re still going to wonder if I’m linked to the crime.”
Was that true—or was he overreacting?
“Maybe not, Chad. It’s not like you have a record or have ever had any trouble with the police.”
He pulled her close again, his grip fierce. As if he was holding on for dear life. “I like your optimism. I wish I had it.”
“I have enough for both of us.”
After a few seconds, he drew back and offered her a smile that seemed forced. “I’m ready for that stew.”
“Coming right up.”
She served their dinner, and though they focused on more pleasant topics during the meal, the underlying tension was almost palpable.
For if Chad’s take on the situation was correct, they weren’t out of the woods yet.
Seventeen
IF HER OUTSIDE ROWINGhad to be put on hold until the lake warmed up again in the spring, running wasn’t a bad second choice to start her Sunday. Especially on a crisp, clear morning with the dawn glow lingering on the horizon.
Leaves crunching underfoot, Lindsey rounded the corner and picked up speed on the path that wound through the county park adjacent to her neighborhood. A major selling point when she’d purchased her condo.
No one was about yet at this early hour on a day many people liked to sleep in, but she wasn’t alone. Ducks paddled on the lake beside her, squirrels scampered about hiding their winter stash, and a cardinal overhead greeted the awakening world with a musical trill.
Peace.
Utter peace.
Exactly what she needed after all that had happened since this month began, and a perfect prelude to set the mood for church attendance later.
Despite the overdose of trauma during the past couple of weeks, she had much to be grateful for as Thanksgiving approached. Including an invitation from Madeleine to join theeclectic group the Horizons director always gathered together for the holiday, comprised of people who might otherwise spend the day alone.
Of course, she could have gone to Boston. But if past experience was any indication, Mom would work until late Wednesday, make reservations at a high-end restaurant for their Thanksgiving meal, and escape to her home office to catch up on work emails in the waning hours of the day.
Not the jolliest of holidays.
Staying here had been smart. Madeleine’s party would be much—
“No!”
Lindsey jolted to a halt as a woman’s cry echoed in the still air from the other side of a cluster of pine trees up ahead.
